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Staff Favorites - Jacques Moreira

Having been born in Rio de Janeiro into a very proud French/Portuguese family, and living in France and the USA for almost 25 years, gave me the best of all worlds, one very old, and another very new. I’ve always had three different perspectives on everything growing up, three different opportunities to understand the world around me and to try to make sense of it all. From Ipanema Beach, to the bluest of seas in the Côte d'Azur and Nice, to the wonderful Big Sur. Caipirinha and Feijoada, codfish and Vinho Verde, Daube and Bandol, and the always present Rosé, and…beer for those 110 degree summertime days in Rio! I always worked in the food business, in Paris, Nice and San Francisco. While working at Jules Verne in Paris, I decided to devote my career solely to wines and eventually got my Sommelier certification through the International Sommelier Guild.

A dusty "crushed stone" minerality on the nose, with the fruit still a bit restrained. On the palate it reveals more exuberance of fruit, also it shows the firm presence of its gripping tannins. It needs some time, as all best wines do. A great choice to try a second wine.

This Cahors will turn heads of those Malbec lovers not familiar with its home in France. Woodsy and earthy yet possessing a intensity of fruit that it is sure to please anyone. Pomegranate, dark berries and a touch floral as well. Very nice indeed!

A classic Tavel with its enticing notes of raspberry and strawberries, followed by a palate that is of course dry, but reveals its noble Tavel roots with its richness and gourmand appeal. A rosé for the table for sure!

I was very impressed by the finesse of the wines of l'Anhel, they all possess a finesse that is not common in the Languedoc. The cuvée "les Dimanches" shows a very aromatic nose of black pepper, black currant and beautiful notes of violets. The palate follows the profile of the nose, and is fully integrated with its tannins and acidity. It will definitely age, but it is a pleasure to drink such beautiful wine right now.

I must confess I have a soft spot for Vinho Verde (pron. VEEN yo VAIR deh or in Bra-PT: VEEN yo Ver.dji, just for fun!) It has definitely been part of my growing up. Back then those wines were very thin and almost watery, but we loved them anyways. Today, with much better wine making techniques and knowledge, Vinho Verde, the good ones, are indeed light, refreshing, zingy and even a bit pétillant, lemony and perfect in hot weather. And that's the accurate description of the Aveleda. A must try with cod fritters by the beach!

One of my favorite rosés of this season for sure. I find it full of flavor, some richness, dry but not austere and just a pleasure to drink really. For the pairings, besides those suggested above I would add a salt cod with garlic and roasted potatoes, sweet and sour chicken, seafood pizza, and a grilled polenta with garlic shrimp and rosemary. All of which I had the pleasure to enjoy with this very same wine.

This is one of my favorite Côtes du Rhônes year after year. I anticipate its arrival because it always has the most pleasing red and black fruit flavors and garrigue aromatics, pepper and violet notes on the palate. It also exhibits an elegance that is quite unique and reveals its high pedigree.

The lifting acidity balancing the beautiful amalgamation of fruits and honey, makes this Sauternes a perfect choice to accompany a Pâté/foie appetizer - at the beginning of the meal instead of at the end! Although, of course it will work wonders with dessert or as "the dessert" with nuts and cheese. A great choice of wine for those with an adventurous sense of the culinary.

A profound nose of dark fruit, blackberry, kirsch and graphite. Very aromatic. It is however more restrained on the palate, although the fruit display a richness and suppleness that will come out of its shell. Very good wine.

It is showing very elegant aromatics of cassis, cigar box, crushed stones and leather. On the palate, its sweet dark fruit reveals itself with its dark cherries, cassis, a touch of wood smoke and leather. The tannins are quite rounded and in perfect tune with the acidity. It is a delicious wine and one of my favorites for its quality/price. 56% Cabernet Sauvignon - 36% Merlot - 6% Petit Verdot - 2% Cabernet Franc.

It is showing very elegant aromatics of cassis, cigar box, crushed stones and leather. On the palate, its sweet dark fruit reveals itself with its dark cherries, cassis, a touch of wood smoke and leather. The tannins are quite rounded and in perfect tune with the acidity. It is a delicious wine and one of my favorites for its quality/price. 56% Cabernet Sauvignon - 36% Merlot - 6% Petit Verdot - 2% Cabernet Franc.

Owned by the Bécot brothers from Beau-Sejour- Bécot in Saint-Émilion, this property is located in a rather privileged terroir in Castillon. It has loads of dark cherries in its aromatics along with cocoa powder and kirsch, very Right Bank indeed. The palate shows a bit more restraint, but still the chocolate, spicy oak and plums abound along with its firm tannins. 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc.

It is showing very elegant aromatics, of cassis, cigar box, crushed stones and leather. On the palate, its sweet dark fruit reveals itself with its dark cherries, cassis, a touch of wood smoke and leather. The tannins are quite rounded and in perfect tune with the acidity. It is a delicious wine and one of my favorites for its quality/price. 56% Cabernet Sauvignon - 36% Merlot - 6% Petit Verdot - 2% Cabernet Franc.

This Cru Bourgeois, owned by the Rothschilds, has always had an early appeal. Rich aromatics of vanilla, licorice and plenty of oak spices. The palate offers spicy cinnamon and exotic incenses, very dark fruit with plenty of cassis and leather, medium tannins and a full-on concentration. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

This one is not holding anything back; it is a full, rich wine with the aromatics showing off its cherry and cocoa notes. The palate reveals its fullness with chocolate, kirsch and underbrush notes. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. A steal at this price!

A staple at K&L – Showing elegant notes of crushed stones, wood spices and cassis. On the palate, it is medium body, with cassis fruit, dark cherries. The touch of spices and earthiness lend its elegance. An absolute no-brainer.

A staple at K&L – Showing elegant notes of crushed stones, wood spices and cassis. On the palate, it is medium body, with cassis fruit, dark cherries. The touch of spices and earthiness lend its elegance. An absolutely no-brainer.

A very nice and refreshing white wine for the summer. Delicate muskmelon and pomelo aromatics, with the palate showing an almost ethereal crispiness, an almost sweet pétillant sensation on the tongue that is absolutely charming and refreshing. It has a nice balance between the sharpness of the Sauvignon Blanc and the suppleness of the Sémillon. All of this for 10 dollars!

A very polished nose of berries, currants and graphite although a bit subdued at its very young age. The palate is quite profound with cocoa, blackberries, cherries, blackcurrants and pencil lead. Very fine tannins and perfect acidity. All of this making it an exquisite wine.

A great example of what I call the "other" French rosé style. Most people are familiar with the Provençal style, but more people need to try the rosés from the north! The Loire Valley, better known for its whites, offers delightful rosés. The les Pins, made from Cabernet Franc grapes, has beautiful and delicate floral aromatics. On the palate we have the red grapefruit, spices, dry rose petals with a juicy acidity, and dry finish. This wine would be fantastic with any summery/outdoor dishes, seafood pasta, salads, and even light meats. Explore!

Very pure, bright and focused. Pineapple, limes bring a touch of crispness that I found very exciting. It is not heavy at all in spite of its concentration and power. A great Sauternes and a great value!

Very pure, bright and focused. Pineapple, limes bring a touch of crispness that I found very exciting. It is not heavy at all in spite of its concentration and power. A great Sauternes and a great value!

As always Guiraud shows why it's one of my favorites Sauternes. The exquisite aromatics, of honey, apricots, marmalade, beeswax and the sensation of ripe peaches just melting in the mouth is an experience hard to forget. Perfect balance between the acidity and the sweetness. Fantastic!

As always Guiraud shows why it's one of my favorites Sauternes. The exquisite aromatics, of honey, apricots, marmalade, beeswax and the sensation of ripe peaches just melting in the mouth is an experience hard to forget. Perfect balance between the acidity and the sweetness. Fantastic!

Lighter bodied than say... 2010, but possessing a very enticing aromatics of raw meat, and crushed stones. The palate reveals its still rigid structure, with the tannins quite prominent. The fruit is still, as I like to say... Sleeping. It needs time to round it all up, and time it will have in the barrels. I enjoyed the aromatics and believe this will become a very good wine indeed.

Showing a lot of wood at this young age, still the nice notes of plums, cherries and exotic spices carry on the palate. It needs to loosen up its tannins which in the next 28 months in barrels will certainly do.

A charming lifted aromatics of fresh cherries followed by a touch of raw meat, earth and exotic spices. Very attractive indeed. The palate is rich and round, with ripe tannins and juicy acidity. It will age beautifully.

It was pure pleasure to taste this wine. Full of dark cherries and chocolate. Medium tannins, and a good acidity to balance the fruit. It is easy to drink and a no brainer for a couple of cases or more!

A very classic Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wine. Cedary notes along with capsicum, pencil lead and roasted coffee. The tannins are quite grippy, and the acidity is high. This is an elegant wine which shows very much its lineage. It will require time and it will last for a long time.

The Begude rosé has always been of our best selling rosé every year, and there is a reason for it. I'd like to tell people that this is the other style of French rosés. Not Provençal at all. It is more racy, more delicate, and bone dry. More reminiscent of a Sancerre rosé, not just because of the cépage, Pinot Noir, but the style. Dried rose petals, raspberry lots of minerality and even a touch of salinity which is quite beguiling. I can think of no other type of wine to drink on a hot California day!

Still a little restrained on the nose, but showing dark berries and blueberries on the background. Elegant and balanced on the palate, which is medium bodied, with dark fruit and graphite framed by fine grained tannin structure.

Showing more deeper dark fruit, blackberry, dark plums and blood orange. the palate is all about integration of the fruit and its structure. Medium body, fine medium tannins and high acid. It will develop into a beauty for sure

A very polished nose of berries, currants and graphite although a bit subdued at its very young age. The palate is quite profound with cocoa, blackberries, cherries, blackcurrants and pencil lead. Very fine tannins and perfect acidity. All of this making it an exquisite wine.

A profound nose of dark fruit, blackberry, kirsch and graphite. Very aromatic.It is however more restrained on the palate, although the fruit display a richness and suppleness that will come out of its shell. Very good wine.

Although not surprisingly a little closed up on the nose, one can still notice the elegant style of Lynch Bages, with its pencil lead, and black currants in the background. Very refined tannins and the high acidity on the palate make this wine a classic for this vintage, not opulent, but quite alluring!

Although not surprisingly a little closed up on the nose, one can still notice the elegant style of Lynch Bages, with its pencil lead, and black currants in the background. Very refined tannins and the high acidity on the palate make this wine a classic for this vintage, not opulent, but quite alluring!

Although not surprisingly a little closed up on the nose, one can still notice the elegant style of Lynch Bages, with its pencil lead, and black currants in the background. Very refined tannins and the high acidity on the palate make this wine a classic for this vintage, not opulent, but quite alluring!

Lifted fruit notes on the nose with blackberries, kirsch, oak notes, and spicy cinnamon. On the palate the fruit is very much still firmly under he tannin structure, no surprise here being such a young wine. The wine will blossom in the next couple of years in barrel. And it will be a very good one!

Lifted fruit notes on the nose with blackberries, kirsch, oak notes, and spicy cinnamon. On the palate the fruit is very much still firmly under he tannin structure, no surprise here being such a young wine. The wine will blossom in the next couple of years in barrel. And it will be a very good one!

Quite lifted aromatics of blackberries and blueberry kirsch. The palate one can taste the nice sweet fruit through the very firm structure of tannins. It is a beautiful wine that without a doubt will improve immensely after its passage in the barrels.

An alluring flowery nose, full of violets, cedar, graphite and cassis. All of that follows on the palate along with beautiful blue and dark berries, as well as coffee. Quite structured by the tannins and acidity. It showed beautifully at the tasting in Bordeaux. I expect it to gather very good reviews. Excellent wine for the long term.

An alluring flowery nose, full of violets, cedar, graphite and cassis. All of that follows on the palate along with beautiful blue and dark berries, as well as coffee. Quite structured by the tannins and acidity. It showed beautifully at the tasting in Bordeaux. I expect it to gather very good reviews. Excellent wine for the long term.

An alluring flowery nose, full of violets, cedar, graphite and cassis. All of that follows on the palate along with beautiful blue and dark berries, as well as coffee. Quite structured by the tannins and acidity. It showed beautifully at the tasting in Bordeaux. I expect it to gather very good reviews. Excellent wine for the long term.

Made with a higher amount of Merlot than usual, the Pibran has an enticing lifted nose of plums and blue fruit. On the palate, roasted coffee, medium tannins and plums. Although it does have a nicely framed structure, it is an easy wine to please.